People are inhaling microparticles that linger in the air, say researchers in a recent study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Findings from the University of Hull in England indicate that evidence of microplastics has been found in almost all people tested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last month, similar\u00a0microscopic particles were found in human blood, implying the particles can travel around the body and\u00a0potentially lodge in organs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It follows an earlier discovery in\u00a0babies who, according to a recent study, have 15 times more particles in their bodies compared to adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Microplastics\u2019 ability to penetrate our bodies is made even more worrying by scientists’ findings that the material provide a comfortable environment for bacteria with high\u00a0antibiotic resistance\u00a0to thrive in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Microplastics are small pieces of plastic, often about the same size as sesame seed, and approximately five millimetres long. They are a result of plastic pollution, and are present in a variety of products, from synthetic clothing to plastic bottles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They consist of carbon and hydrogen atoms bound together, and often contain chemicals such as phthalates and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a growing field of study, little is known about their impact, but recent research indicates that their nano size allows for\u00a0ease of access into water filtration systems, which means they often end up in the ocean. This poses a threat to birds and aquatic life, who often mistake the particles for food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People are already known to breathe in the tiny particles too, and they are easily consumed via food and water. According to the\u00a0United Nations Environment Programme, plastic microbeads were present in cosmetics and personal hygiene products as far back as 1970, when natural ingredients were being replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This long-term exposure has only recently begun to gain attention, with the latest studies raising more concerns about microplastics’ impact on human health as\u00a0the effects are unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A 2021\u00a0study\u00a0in Brazil found that polyethylene, a microparticle used in plastic bags, was one of the most common particles present in 13 out of 20 people analysed. Researchers concluded that the \u201ccontaminants in the respiratory system [were likely] following inhalation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A recent\u00a0review\u00a0which assessed cancer risk in relation to microplastics, states that more thorough research is \u201curgently needed\u201d with regards to \u201cwhether and how they can transform cells and induce carcinogenesis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2019, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) made an attempt to reduce human exposure to these particles by\u00a0proposing a restriction\u00a0on microplastics placed on the EU\/EEA market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This means firms would have to stop adding microplastics to almost all products, from cosmetics to detergent, which in turn would prevent the release of 500,000 tonnes of microplastics over a 20 year period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The legal restriction is expected to become law by the end of 2022, however certain environmental groups claim the proposal has some major loopholes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some sectors may have up to eight years to drop microplastics, while \u2018biodegradable\u2019 plastic microplastic that\u00a0does not break down as quickly and completely as the term may imply\u00a0could escape the ban altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe EU is right to build on its reputation of tackling plastic pollution with this new ban,\u201d\u00a0says European environmental chemicals policy officer, Elise Vital. \u201cBut it must avoid being sidetracked by industry sponsored loopholes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an attempt to clean and reduce the microplastics already exposed to the ocean, a number of solutions have been proposed globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last year,\u00a0a project\u00a0conducted by the UK\u2019s\u00a0Plymouth Marine Laboratory\u00a0found that a small collection of mussels has the potential to filter 250,000 pieces of microplastics in an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2020, French skipper Fabrice Amedeo\u00a0took part in two major sailing race events, seizing an opportunity to venture into uncharted water for scientists and collect data on microplastics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n